BSF Accused of Entering Bangladesh and Throwing Sound Grenade at Patgram Border, BGB Lodges Strong Protest

Members of India's Border Security Force (BSF) have been accused of crossing the zero line into Bangladesh at the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat and throwing a sound grenade at local workers. In response, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has lodged a strong protest and sent a formal protest note to the BSF.

However, the BGB says the BSF denied the allegation at a flag meeting. The opposing positions of the two forces have spread tension in the border area, although no one was injured in the incident.

Karimul Islam, assistant director of Rangpur 61 BGB Battalion (Teesta-2), said the incident took place on Saturday (24 October) afternoon at the Bamondal border in Burimari Union. Although there were no casualties, panic spread among the border residents.

According to the BGB and local sources, several Bangladeshi workers were extracting stone and sand from the Saniyajan River near sub-pillar 4 of main border pillar 837. They were working in the river as they do every day.

At that time, a patrol team of 10 to 12 members from the BSBari camp of India's 98 BSF Battalion crossed the zero line and entered about 150 yards inside Bangladesh. It is alleged that the BSF members got down into the river and tried to beat the workers.

Hearing the workers' screams, 15 to 20 local people put up resistance with sticks. At one stage, a chase and counter-chase took place between the two sides.

Seeing the situation turn against them, the BSF members exploded a sound grenade and quickly retreated into India. On receiving the news, BGB members from the Burimari company headquarters reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

Karimul Islam said: “The BSF threw a sound grenade to frighten people. A formal protest note has been sent to the BSF with a strong protest over this.”

Meanwhile, at a brief flag meeting between the BGB and BSF held on Saturday evening, the BSF delegation denied the border crossing and the throwing of the sound grenade, the BGB said.

Concern has grown among local people over the safety of workers and ordinary residents at the border. Extracting stone and sand from the Saniyajan River is a source of livelihood for many in the area, so they believe coordination between the two countries' border forces is essential to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

According to sources concerned, BGB patrols and surveillance in the border area have been strengthened after the incident. Although the situation is now under control, the fear among border residents has not completely subsided.

It now remains to be seen what explanation the BSF gives in response to the BGB's protest note and what steps the two sides take to avoid such incidents in future.